Dear friends,

I am pleased to present the June issue of the Mendoza Messenger.  This issue covers ways you can save and benefit from going “green” in your home, at your office and in your community.

You will also find updates on changes in California law scheduled to take place in July and learn about my legislation and district news.

As always, I hope you find this information useful and share it with your friends and family members.  If you have any questions or comments, I would enjoy hearing from you.  Please feel free to contact my office at (562) 864-5600 or email me.

On July 1, 2008 all California motorists will have to either wait to take that call or use a wireless Bluetooth, or “hands free,” system while driving.

With no grace period, this new law will be enforced beginning on July 1.  Violators will receive a ticket/fine of $50 for the first offense and $50 for every subsequent offense.  With added penalties the fines can reached between $76 for a first offense and $190 for every conviction thereafter.

Law enforcement can pull you over just for this infraction and the conviction will appear on your driving record.  The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), however, will not assign violation points on an individual’s driver’s license.

Passengers can continue to use a hand-held phone and driver’s can use a hand-held device without violating the law when using the device in the process of reporting a medical or criminal emergency.  Drivers with cell phones containing a “push-to-talk” feature cannot use that particular feature while driving unless it is used with a hands-free ear piece or other hands-free technology. Drivers can also use the speaker phone function while driving.

For those drivers 18 and under the law will not allow you to use any electronic or mobile device to speak or text while driving in any manner with the exception of reporting a police, medical or fire emergency.

Californians interested in traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda can now apply for a Passport Card issued by the U.S. State Department.  Passport card applications are nearly half the cost of a regular passport ($45 compared to $97).  For more information visit www.travel.state.gov and click on the U.S. Passport Card link under the Special Interest section.

Assemblyman Tony Mendoza is pleased to announce that Julie Marquez has been selected as the 2008 Small Business Owner of the Year for the 56th Assembly District.  The honor came during the California Small Business Association’s “Salute to Small Business” event, held in Sacramento on May 28, 2008.

“Julie is a remarkable person in that she serves her community as a member of several nonprofit boards, has a successful career in the private sector and as a private business owner and still has time for family,” said Assemblyman Tony Mendoza.

Ms. Marquez is the President and CEO of JRLC Foods, Inc. that has operated a Tacos Don Chente in Norwalk since 2006.  Ms. Marquez also serves as the Vice President and Relationship Manager for Union Bank’s Real Estate Treasury Services Division.

The award was presented to Ms. Marquez at the Capitol during a lunch event hosted by the California Small Business Association.

Looking for ways to “go green” this summer?  The state of California has many programs available to help you get started at home, in school or at the office.

Recycling – as a part of the California Refund Value (CRV) program, Californian’s can order a recycling bin for use in collecting plastic bottles and cans to redeem and recycle at a local center for cash.  There is also a useful cash calculator on the site to show you what recycling can do for your bottom line.  Log onto www.bottlesandcans.com for more details

Auto purchases – as more Californians are searching for ways to conserve on travel costs many are switching to higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions vehicles.  Many of these new models come with new acronyms including ZEV/PZEV or SULEV (Zero Emissions Vehicle, Partial Zero Emission Vehicle, and Super-Ultra Low Emission Vehicle).  Some of these vehicles are eligible for government and private programs that provide monetary or non-monetary incentives to enhance the marketability of cleaner vehicles.

For instance, purchasing a hybrid vehicle will pay off at tax time with a federal tax deduction of $2,000. And, some local Air Districts provide additional rebates for residents in their area who purchase an alternative fuel or hybrid vehicle.  For more information on alternative fuel and electrical vehicles visit www.driveclean.ca.gov

Currently up for votes in the State Senate

AB 2136 (Calling Card Clarifier) sets out to better inform consumers about the fees they are paying when purchasing a calling card.  Information about additional fees and services associated with activation and disconnection of a call are currently not readily available to a consumer at the time of purchase.  AB 2136 will require vendors and administrators of calling cards to provide in detail either on the card, the card packaging, posted advertisements or other visual means the breakdown of costs for per minute use and any related fees or charges for utilizing the card prior to its expiration.

AB 2135 will provide teachers with an additional core curriculum when working with English Language Learners.  This important third option will supplement two currently used non-core programs in order to facilitate a student’s ability to transition to English only course work.

Big changes are coming in television broadcasting. On February 17, 2009, all full power television stations are required to stop broadcasting in analog and continue broadcasting in digital only. This is known as the DTV transition.

Some consumers are asking why they need to switch. First, all-digital broadcasting will give needed communications channels to police, fire and emergency rescue personnel. It will also allow for new wireless services for consumers. In addition, since digital is more efficient than analog, it allows stations to broadcast several programs at the same time, instead of just one program with analog. This means broadcasters can offer consumers more choices. Digital also allows broadcasters to offer improved picture and sound quality, including high definition (HDTV) programming.

It is also important to know that the end of analog broadcasting does not mean that consumers must purchase new TVs, and you certainly don’t need an HDTV to watch digital broadcasts. If you currently receive over-the-air programming on an analog television using a broadcast antenna, either through “rabbit ears” on your set or an antenna on your roof, you will only need a digital-to-analog converter box to continue watching broadcast television on that set after February 17, 2009. These boxes will cost approximately $40 to $70, and will be available in stores beginning this year.

To help defray the cost of digital-to-analog converter boxes, each U.S. household can request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of eligible boxes. This coupon program is being administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). For more information on the coupon program visit www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009.

If you watch over-the-air programming on a DTV (a TV with a built-in digital tuner), you will not need a digital-to-analog converter box. Also, an antenna you use to receive analog broadcasts should work for receiving digital broadcasts, both on a DTV and on an analog TV connected to a digital-to-analog converter box.

If you subscribe to a paid television service such as cable or satellite TV, you will not need a digital-to-analog converter box, and the TVs connected to your paid service will continue to receive local broadcast programming. However, consumers are advised to check with their providers to see if they will need any additional equipment in the future.

For more information, call the FCC at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit their DTV Web site at www.dtv.gov.

Assemblyman Mendoza celebrates his birthday along with his daughter, Andrea, and newly elected Speaker of the Assembly Karen Bass.	Assemblyman Mendoza joins Board of Equalization Member Judy Chu in presenting a workshop for success for small businesses in the 56th Assembly District
Assemblyman Mendoza welcomes Geraldo Rivera to Sacramento for a discussion on race issues	Small business Women of the Year  Julie Marquez escorted through the Assembly Chamber by Assemblyman Mendoza
Assemblyman Mendoza addresses a graduating class of 200 students from the Tri-Cities Regional Occupational Program	Assemblyman Mendoza joins members of the California School Employees Association (CSEA) in a rally against proposed cuts to our schools
Assemblyman Mendoza speaks out against proposed budget cuts and for our children and seniors